Magnificent Manhattan from £556pp: 4nt NYC minibreak - incl. direct flights & grand 4* hotel

We are seeing lots of autumn bargains to New York at the moment pirates and today, we've been particularly tickled by this DIY bargain at an iconic 4* hotel off Madison Avenue -- The Roosevelt Hotel. You can get 4 nights at the grand classic property, plus direct flights from the UK, on dates in… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Women fraudster sentenced after claiming £9,000 in taxi fares

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A woman who falsely claimed over £9,000 in taxi fares has been sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months.

Tina Shillingford, 49, from West Wickham, Kent, pleaded guilty at Croydon crown court on April 16th.

The court heard how Ms Shillingford's daughter was entitled to free taxi rides between her home and the University of Westminster, via The Student Loans Company, due to a long-term back ailment.

It was then discovered that Ms Shillingford had submitted taxi claims totalling £9,744 over a 20 month period from November 2012 in her daughters name whilst her daughter was abroad.

The McGrath and Co. receptionist was caught after work colleagues suspicions were raised when they noticed a book of taxi reciepts on her computer.

Initially both Ms Shillingford and her daughter Leanne were accused of fraud, however it was accepted by prosecutors that Leanne Shillingford was an unwitting victim in the fraud.

Shillingford received a 12 month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months as well as 180 hours of community service from Judge Alice Robinson.

Ms Shilling has subsequently paid back all of the money that had been obtained illegally.

April 18, 2018 at 02:46PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Electric Vehicles: “The penny has dropped”

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Sometimes social media throws up some great posts that only a handful of drivers get to read.

London cabbie, Cliff Mahoney, gives his take on where electric vehicle technology is heading in the capital and how opinions maybe shifting as more expensive vehicles become the norm.

“

The penny has dropped!Driving in London is about to change foreverand it maybe for the better? At least for London’s Cabbies and your kids.We all know that pollution is bad in the metropolis and it needs something doing about it. Well that's what is happening. Let's forget the Taxi trade for a moment. Very shortly a clean air area will come in. This is within the boundary of the North / South circular. If you own a older diesel vehicle it will cost you a whopping £35 a day to move within this area. Meanwhile they are looking to trial a Non petrol or diesel vehicles zone in a dozen or so streets in Hoxton. This new initiative is to force people into electric vehicles (EV). It won't get any resistance as it's just a few back streets that even Taxis rarely use. But here's the real light bulb moment. The city of London want to make the Beech Street tunnel EV only. Like the 20 mph speed limits, before you know it the whole of greater London will be a EV only zone. It will probably start with the current congestion charge area. So I'm slightly regretting updating the wife's diesel last year.Everyone will have to purchase EV's and that's also an issue because they are about a third more expensive than the current model car you drive.This will make owning a car a very expensive option and out of most people's reach. Look at the price jump of the new TXE taxi which is I'm reliably informed a Volvo XC60 converted to be a cab. The Volvo is £60k in basic form much the same as this new Taxi.So how to get around this new green clean city where's the transport infrastructure if we can no longer afford the family car? Well it's there already or the seeds are there. Very soon we will have Cross Rail, there are already many car share rental schemes, many cycle lanes to tempt you, plus cycle hire, 120,000 cheap third world minicabs, rickshaws and of course the iconic black Taxis. Hopefully we will loose a chunk of these polluting minicabs, that app probably seemed like a good idea. But it's a monster that's run away with them. Plus the robbing rickshaws will be run off our streets, but three mayors haven't done a thing so who knows?Once all the cars are off the road then we will be able to get around much easier and more people will use Taxis. But it's a bugger if you have a family car and this zone will eventually stretch out to the whole of the greater London area. Once they have cleaned up greater London and your kids can breathe again. They will start in all the other big city's and towns. Diesel will be confined to the country side, where they burn all the fossil fuel to provide power for all these new EV vehicles.I'm not quite at the point of rushing into Ascott's and strapping myself up for a new EV. But I'm looking very close at this vehicle now. Although if your a cabbie and you trap a job to the New Nobu Hotel Shoreditch you won't be dropping them at the door soon, unless your in a TXE.“

If you’ve got a post or an opinion you’d like to share with the trade get in touch!

April 18, 2018 at 02:28PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

5* Maldives all inclusive break from £1,368pp - incl. 7-14nts overwater villa & flights

Wow pirates! Voyage Privé are offering an incredible once in a lifetime holiday package - a decadent getaway to a 5* overwater village in the Maldives! You'll be staying at Cocoon Maldives, a boutique property in the unspoiled paradise of Lhaviyani Atoll. Your package includes all inclusive board, flights from the UK and seaplane transfers… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

August family holiday in Crete from £346pp - 7nts great rated hotel & flights

Ahoy pirates, we have come across another great holiday within the school holidays this Summer, this holiday to Crete is under £350 per person - a great price for August getaways. The hotel you will stay in is highly rated and if you wish to include breakfast each morning you can do so at time… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Summer on the Hogwarts Express from £20pp: Ride the real life Harry Potter train in Scotland

Calling all Harry Potter fans! The Jacobite Steam Train (also known as the Hogwarts Express) has just released tickets for the summer months, so you can travel the route made famous in the Harry Potter movies -- including iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct. Tickets start from just £20 return per child or £35 return per adult. While… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Boutique 4* London hotel near Paddington from £60pppn - incl. £20 credit for food & drinks

We've spotted a doozy of a deal over on Mr & Mrs Smith for a beautiful boutique 4* hotel in central London. You'll get 20% off stays in either of the May bank holiday weekends or during school holidays, plus Smith members (it's free to sign up) get a bonus £20 per room credit to… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Vegas baby from £496pp: 7nt iconic Luxor casino stay this winter - incl. direct flights & bags

Pirates, we love Vegas so when we come across a bargain to Sin City it certainly catches our attention! Today our Holiday Finder has tracked down a 7 night holiday in Las Vegas for under £500pp. You'll be staying at the Luxor Hotel right on the Strip with access to the Mandalay Bay Tram making… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Last minute Barcelona break from £93pp - incl. 2nts central hotel & flights

There's still time to head over to the continent in April pirates! When we spotted flights to Barcelona for a stunning £19 return, we knew we had to plot a city break. We paired the flights up with 2 nights at Hotel Market, a quaint property that's a short distance from the Ciutat Vella and… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Relish Rome: 3nts from £129pp incl. 4* hotel & flights

Pirates, race to Rome for a 3-night break from £129pp including the 4* Raganelli Hotel & flights. This beautiful city is full of culture, history and PIZZA to enjoy, so secure your trip from £30pp deposit. Holiday details: Travel duration: 3 nights (longer or shorter stays possible) Example date: 13th 16th November 2018 Flight… jcrdawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Last-minute bargain Majorca: 7nts from £235pp - incl. flights, 4* hotel & half board

The last-minute bird catches the worm with this 7-night holiday to Majorca in April; the price has fallen to just £235 per person, based on 2 sharing -- including return flights from the UK and half board. You'll stay 7 nights at a fab 4* hotel with breakfast and lunch/dinner daily and your pick of… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Escape winter in Malta: 7nts from £123pp incl. hotel, breakfast & flights

Pirates, escape the English winter with a bargain 7-night stay in beautiful Malta from £123pp including the 3* Coral Hotel, breakfast & flights. Malta is a gorgeous country with many things to see and enjoy, so snap up a cheap deal from only £30pp deposit. Holiday details: Travel duration: 7 nights (longer or shorter stays… jcrdawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Cheap Corfu getaway from £162pp - 14nts great rated hotel near the beach & flights (2-4 share)

Pirates, why go on holiday for a week when you can go for 2 weeks, this holiday in Corfu won't break the bank as it is under £200 per person. The Greek getaway can be based on 2-4 sharing, staying in a great rated hotel at really cheap prices and you can book today with… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

All inclusive Dominican Republic package from £543pp - incl. 7-14nts resort, flights & transfers

Pirates, get yourselves the all inclusive treatment you truly deserve with this dreamy package to the Dominican Republic. You'll be spending 7 nights at the Riu Naiboa, situated just outside Punta Cana. Direct flights are included in this package, alongside bags, transfers and ATOL protection. Everything you need! The cheapest options depart in May, with… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

5* Dubai family holiday from £599pp: 5nts luxe resort near The Palm, flights, half board & more

Dubai is one of the hottest travel destinations right now; 5* resorts, infinity pools, rooftop bars, it's the epitome of luxury and you can get it all and more with this unbelievable bargain from Value Added Travel. From £559 per person, based on a family of 3 sharing, you'll get 5 nights at the uber-luxe… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Turkey all inclusive getaway from £351pp - 7nts 4* beachfront hotel, flights, luggage & transfers

Ahoy mateys! Treat yourself to this luxury all inclusive holiday in Turkey offered by Thomas Cook staying in a really gorgeous adults only hotel right by the beach. There are great prices for couples and there are many airports you can fly from at great prices. Holiday details Adults only Travel duration: 7 nights Example… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Last minute Costa Brava long weekend from £85pp - incl. 4nts apartment & flights

Any time you pirates are in need of a last minute getaway, our Holiday Finder is sure to have something for you! We've spotted a stunning deal to the Costa Brava, where you'll be spending 4 nights by the beach at Bon Repos Apartaments. Flights are included. The cheapest time to travel is late-April, so… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Nothing to Luz: 7nts in the Algarve from £147pp incl. 4* hotel, breakfast & flights

Pirates, parade around in Portugal from £147pp with this tasty last-minute deal for 7 nights in the Algarve including the 4* Luz Bay hotel, breakfast & flights! The beach is only a 4-minute walk away, and the two pools, tennis courts, hot tub, sauna & bar will keep you occupied on those lazy holiday nights...… jcrdawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Magical Morocco getaway from £290pp - 7nts 4* bungalow stay, breakfast & flights

Pirates, next up we have Agadir in Morocco staying in a really cool hotel in your own bungalow. The deal is based on 2 sharing and there are great prices on a number of months throughout the year. Breakfast is included each morning of your stay during your Moroccan getaway and you can upgrade to… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Dial-a-Cab to close unless a merger can be agreed

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It's a sad day when anybody within the taxi trade is forced to cease trading, but when it is one of the mainstays of the London taxi industry for over 60 years then this holds special significance.

Dial-a-Cab who were formed in 1953 and have around 1,500 taxi drivers on their books, have become the latest victims to fall victim to the changing economy within the the industry.

In an email to drivers on the circuit Dial-A-Cab chairman, Brian Rice said:

“As you know Dial-A-Cab has been loss making for some time. The cash reserves that we have built up in the good times have helped sustain us while we have looked at the alternatives for the business. While efforts to secure a sale or merger of the business are ongoing and we are in ongoing discussions with a potential merger partner, we have concluded that the time has come when we need to draw a line in the sand. The board has therefore made the decision that we will close the business unless an alternative can be found in the near future.

“The consequence of closing the business would be that all of our staff would be at risk of redundancy. Any redundancy process would take 6 to 8 weeks to conclude and we have therefore concluded that we need to start that process now so that it can be concluded as soon as possible should an alternative not be secured in the meantime.

“As discussions over an alternative to closing the business down are ongoing, I would ask that you continue to work as normal as that is the best way in which you can support a sale/merger. Our cash reserves mean that you will continue to be paid as normal for work completed and in the event of closure your roller bond will still be returned to you.

“You will be updated further as soon as there is nore information that we can provide to you.”

Whilst Brian Rice's statement shows that the board are still looking for ways to keep the company afloat, the signs are very worrying to those working directly for Dial-a-Cab and the London taxi industry in general.

April 17, 2018 at 01:51PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT